Speaker

Clifford Will

Washington University in St. Louis

Physics

314-935-6244

cmw@wuphys.wustl.edu

Gravitational Waves and the Validity of General Relativity

The regular observation of gravitational radiation by a world-wide network of resonant and laser-interferometric detectors will usher in a new form of astronomy. At the same time, it will provide new and interesting tests of general relativity. We review the current empirical status of general relativity, and discuss three areas in which direct observation of gravitational radiation could test the theory further: polarization of the waves, speed of the waves, and back-reaction of the waves on the evolution of the source.